There is a forward entry in DNS property page pointing to the external DNS server The External DNS Server has an Alias entry in it to for 2 Domain Names Companyname.com points to a 192.168 entry (original) Companyname.com works now. guardian.company.com point to a Nic card 167.206 entry (New) nat translation in linuix (IP Maskerade points to The mail server is our Companyname.local) There is an entry in DNS for a host file called Guardian The MX-RECORD points to the mail server.local with the (host or domain section READING GUARDIAN). Mail server priority is 10 Note: We have always used the Companyname.com in IMAP. Exchange: Able to receive mail but not send. Sending does not even make it out of the starting gate. THERE IS A RECIPIENRT Policy point to the guardian.companyname.com WE ARE ABLE TO JUST RECEIVE E-MAILS AT A COMPLETE BLANK STARTING THE R&D FROM THE SMTP SENDING POINT. QUESTION? If the guardian.companyname.com was not listed with the ISP would a e-mail make it out of the starting gate. Is there a setting in exchange or 2000 server that will not allow communication from exchange to the internet guardian.Companyname.com is an alias name for the company name.com nic-card that is pointing to the internet. CONFUSED PLEASE HELP!!